A REDDITCH based nursing charity named after First World War heroine Edith Cavell is backing a campaign to have her name and face included on a new commemorative coin.

To mark this year's centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, Her Majesty's Treasury will be issuing a new £2 coin with the face of the War Minister, Field Marshall Lord Kitchener.

But an online petition has been started by Sheffield councillor Sioned-Mair Richards, who described Edith Cavell as a heroine of her early childhood.

The petition, which has already attracted more than 30,000 signatures, calls on HM Treasury to issue a £2 coin with the face of Edith Cavell on it to "commemorate a woman who did her duty during the First World War, a duty not just to country but to all humankind".

The Royal Mint has apparently indicated that future designs will include other figures connected with the war, but it is not known whether Edith Cavell would be among them.

The nurses trust, based in the town centre, was born out of the public subscription which followed Edith Cavell's death in October 1915.

The charity maintains her legacy by supporting nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals in real need.

Kate Tompkins, chief executive of the trust, said: "Edith Cavell nursed all wounded soldiers regardless of nationality saying to her nurses each man is a son, husband or father.

"As the charity set up in her name in 1917, just two years after her death, we are delighted with the support and recognition through the online petition of Edith's work as a nurse
and for helping the 200 Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium.

"We are working with colleagues in Norfolk, Belgium and across the UK on a wide range of plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of this remarkable woman and nursing leader whose values were care and compassion."

For more information about the online petition, visit change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-british-treasury-issue-a-2-coin-with-the-face-of-edith-cavell-on-it.

For information about Cavell Nurses Trust, visit cavellnursestrust.org.